Community pharmacy to open later to improve access in south Telford
Madeley Pharmacy is to open two hours later on weekdays and four hours later on Saturdays after an appeal by Telford and Wrekin Health & Wellbeing Board to help improve access to services.
A pharmaceutical needs assessment revealed that people in the south of Telford did not have access to essential community pharmacy services later in day on weekdays and weekends.
For many local residents, pharmacies provide a vital first point of contact for healthcare concerns.
On the back of that, the Telford and Wrekin Health and Wellbeing Board raised concerns about access to pharmacy services for residents in the south of Telford.
The Board asked pharmacy contractors to review their opening hours to see if they could improve the access situation and Madeley Pharmacy came forward to bridge the gap.
It will now mean that the pharmacy opens at 9am Monday-Saturday. It will stay open Monday-Friday until 8pm rather than 6pm and on Saturday until 5pm rather than 1pm.
Madeley Pharmacy spokesman Mike Taylor said: “When we were made aware of the issue by the Health and Wellbeing Board, we were more than happy to help out by extending our opening hours.
“I hope that the extended hours will make it easier for residents who need to access pharmacy services in the evening and on Saturday afternoons.”
Councillor Richard Overton, Telford & Wrekin Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for health and chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Board, said: “This is another excellent example of partnership working and I would like to say thank you to Madeley Pharmacy for extending their hours.”
Councillor Paul Watling, Telford and Wrekin Health and Wellbeing Board member, added: “I was really concerned that the board noticed unequal access to pharmaceutical services in south Telford so I very much welcome these extended hours.”
